Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort beach called Kahekili Beach Park. The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Unlucky souls who could not be shown the way by their family ‘aumakua (guardian animal spirit), would wander and attach themselves to rocks in the area. This is likely where the “it is bad luck to take a Hawai’ian lava rock” superstition comes from.

This is also a popular spot for cliff jumping. If you are cliff jumping, swim to the far side of the rock and climb up from there. It's much more challenging and dangerous to reach the rock by click up it from shore.

Black Rock

Up to five huge green sea turtles came to feed at Black Rock.  We saw them almost every time we went to snorkel, at 7 am and 4 pm, most days.  There were numerous unicorn fish, triggers, filefish, cornets, and goatfish.  Saw a couple of eels and a barracuda; no sharks, no rays.  The crowds can be bad even though we were there at low season but you can swim around them out to the cove around the point.  Luckily surf was low so we snorkeled whenever we wanted to and visibility was good.  We saw more turtles at Black Rock than at Turtle Town.  We really enjoyed staying at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, next to the Sheraton so could walk there easily.

Margaret Behme's Dive Log

@margaret_behme

1 dives